High Court bars former Air Force Chief from Tse Addo land, awards damages for trespass

An Accra High Court has issued a perpetual injunction against a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Frank Hanson (rtd), barring him and several serving military officers from a disputed parcel of land at Tse Addo, a suburb of Accra.

In a judgment delivered on February 26, 2026, Justice Abena Oppong, a Court of Appeal judge sitting as an additional High Court judge, declared businessman Adolf Tetteh Adjei the rightful owner of the 2.40-acre property.

The court found that the retired air force chief had failed to provide any evidence to support his claim that the plaintiff’s grantors lacked the capacity to sell the land. “It is clear from the evidence that the defendant interfered with the disputed land. He has since failed to justify his intentions on the plaintiff’s land,” the judge held.

As part of the ruling, AVM Hanson (rtd) was ordered to remove a container, which the court noted contained “offensive materials,” from the property at his own expense. The court also awarded GH¢10,000 in damages against him for using serving soldiers to trespass on the land and harass the plaintiff, even after the judgment had been delivered.

Mr. Adjei, the Managing Director of Sapholda Ventures Limited, had originally sued AVM Hanson (rtd) and Wing Commander John William Quainoo (rtd) separately for trespass. His reliefs included an order for the removal of the container, a perpetual injunction against the defendants and their agents, and general damages for trespass.

The court granted the perpetual injunction, recovery of possession, and the damages, effectively affirming Mr. Adjei’s ownership and right to occupy the land without interference.